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More than half of Republican voters believe the false claim that left-wing protesters organized the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, to hurt then-U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The two-day poll, completed on Wednesday, underscores the deep divisions and partisan lenses through which many Americans view these events.
According to the poll, many Americans who identify themselves as Republicans hold views diametrically opposed to the evidence uncovered by the bipartisan congressional and prosecutorial investigations. Although 55% of Republicans surveyed believe the riots were caused by left-wing protesters, nearly all of those arrested, 840 people so far, are Trump supporters. FBI Director Christopher Ray said there is no evidence that left-wing extremists were impersonating Trump supporters during the attack on Congress.
Nearly six in ten (58%) Republicans also believe the protesters were peaceful and law-abiding people, though four people died that day and at least 140 police officers were attacked. A Capitol police officer who clashed with the rioters died the next day.
The parliamentary committee that has been investigating the events for a year plans to present its initial findings tonight (03.00 GMT). The "January 6" committee has taken statements from more than 1,000 witnesses, including two of the former president's children. It has also reviewed 140,000 documents to shed light on Trump's events and actions before, during and after the riots.
Earlier today, the FBI arrested a Republican candidate for governor of Michigan, Ryan Kelly, for involvement in the January 6, 2021 riots. Kelly, 40, is one of five Republicans vying for the party's nomination to oppose Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer in the November election. He faces misdemeanor charges, including illegal entry into a restricted area, disorderly conduct and others.
Source: protothema.gr
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